The BMC has always been glad to provide support for its members to attend workshops and classes and for various mycology-related projects and events. Starting last year, we established a more formal grants and scholarships program, with specific timelines and a committee. Two years in, we are excited to share the results of the awards so far and look forward to supporting the new awardees.
BMC grants and scholarships promote mycological research, education, and community development for mycophiles from Brockton to Ecuador. We encourage anyone interested to submit a proposal for research and community grants, and all BMC members to consider requesting a scholarship. Please reach out to the committee at grants@bostonmyco.org with any questions or suggestions.
RESEARCH, COMMUNITY MYCOLOGY AND OUTREACH GRANTS
This year the BMC awarded two Research grants to Julius Tabim (PhD student, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University) and Nick Milam (undergraduate, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University), and one Community Mycology and Outreach grant to Clancy Larmour (PhD student, North Carolina State University). Below, the grantees describe the projects in their own words.
Research Grant: Julius Tabim
Understanding the Molecular Basis of Entomophthora muscae Behavioral Manipulation.
This project aims to investigate how fungal parasites manipulate animal behavior at a molecular level, using the ‘zombie’ infection of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) by the fungus Entomophthora muscae as a model system. Entomophthora muscae causes infected flies to perform dramatic ‘summiting’ behavior (climbing to a high point before dying), which facilitates fungal spore dispersal. By analyzing and comparing the fungal proteins present in fly heads at various stages of infection, I have identified nine fungal proteins that are potential candidates for inducing this behavior. To test which are relevant for summiting, I will genetically express each protein in the neurons of flies without fungal infection and assess whether this induces summiting-like behavior. In parallel, I will also perform this experiment by directly injecting the proteins into uninfected flies. If no single protein is sufficient, combinations will be tested to determine the minimal set required. This work will provide new mechanistic insight into how animal behaviors are genetically, neurally, and molecularly elicited by fungal infections.
Research grant: Nick Milam
Investigating the Effects of Electric Currents and Low-Frequency Vibrations on Pleurotus ostreatus Cultivation Utilizing Spent Grain Substrate.
This project investigates whether electrical stimulation and low-frequency vibrations, designed to mimic natural storm conditions, can enhance the yield and growth rate of Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushrooms) cultivated on spent grain, a byproduct of beer brewing. Spent grain is nutrient-rich and readily available, making it a promising substrate for sustainable mushroom cultivation. Recent studies suggest that environmental cues such as electric discharge, humidity changes, and vibrational signals may indicate favorable fruiting conditions to fungi, potentially encouraging earlier or more prolific growth. This experiment will simulate a ‘thunderstorm’ sequence involving humidity shifts, electrical bursts, and low-frequency vibrations applied to spent grain cultivation bags. Results will be compared to untreated spent grain and a high-nutrient commercial control substrate. Key measurements will include yield, cap and stem development, and time to fruiting. If successful, this work could validate a low-cost, sustainable method to increase mushroom production while repurposing an agricultural byproduct.
Community Mycology and Outreach grant: Clancy Larmour
Video Reports from the Mycological Society of America
The project will produce a series of videos covering the Mycological Society of America’s Annual Meeting. These videos aim to bridge the gap between academia and broader interest in mycology with the goal of making the field more accessible. Topics will cover mycology education, mentoring initiatives such as the SPORES* program, interviews with veteran mycologists, and community building efforts in mycology at all levels. Short and long form content will be available fully captioned and freely accessible on the CraterAlias YouTube and Instagram platforms.
[Ed’s. note: *SPORES (Society Prioritizes Our Recruitment of Every Scholar) is a mentor-mentee-based program of the Mycological Society of America with a mission to diversify, advance, and promote future mycologists via recruitment of undergraduate students from demographics that are underrepresented at MSA.]
2025 SCHOLARSHIPS
The BMC provided scholarships that will enable two members to participate in regional forays. The recipients are active contributors to the New England mycological community and we are glad to support their continued efforts.
Maria Pinto
Maria Pinto is an author, educator, and mycophile. Her forthcoming book, Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Hidden Histories, Zombies, and Black Survival will be published in October 2025 by the University of North Carolina Press. Maria will attend the NEMF Foray in Ithaca, NY in September 2025 where she will lead a workshop on science communication.
Deana Thomas
Deana Thomas is the founder and President of the Rhode Island Mycological Society. Deana has created over 1,000 research-grade observations on iNaturalist, documenting 400 species. She has volunteered for the FUNDIS Northeast Rare Fungi Challenge since 2022 and serves as a member of the NAMA Conservation and Stewardship Committee. Deana received the “2024 Friend of the Forest” award from the Rhode Island Forest Conservators Organization. She will participate in the NAMA Foray in Marlboro, VT September 2025.
Check out the 2024 BMC Grants & Scholarships Final Reports news post to see what the 2024 Grant and Scholarship recipients did.